Freelance vs. Regular contract - reduce fees?

[GidgetGirl]

I’m self-employed as a freelance consultant and have been for some years. My work involves stand-alone projects for individual clients (usually taking around five days each), and for these I charge a standard day rate.

A position has come up doing the same thing on a contractual basis for approximately 3 days per month, give or take a few hours. This would be a long-term position for a small (but relatively influential) charitable trust. I REALLY want the position - it’s right up my alley.

My question is, is it the done thing to reduce your normal daily rate for a long-term contractual position? Or not? I’m happy to do that to some degree for the guarantee of three days of this work per month, but I don’t want to under-price myself. Or over-price! They want to know my daily consultant rate as part of the application process..

Hello! I'm a consultant too and I would probably reduce a bit to reflect the fact that it's steady money and guaranteed but not masses.

I'd probably consider how much work do you normally have to do to get new projects as you would be saving that time, how long the contract is and how much I wanted it.

Having said that at this stage I'd probably respond with 'here's my standard rate but we could discuss a more advantageous retainer rate' as a first step

Having said that at this stage I'd probably respond with 'here's my standard rate but we could discuss a more advantageous retainer rate' as a first step

That's what I've done with regular clients who give me a recurring number of monthly hours, although I do have a clause with the rate per hour for hours over the agreed per week/month.

Problem is, there are no guarantees! I've done this and then the work ends prematurely and you've put all the graft in upfront. So I'm much more bullish about my fee now.

Thanks for the advice all. Aargh it’s a tricky decision! Average day rates for consultants who do what I do seem to range from about £350 to £900 depending on experience and location, and mine is £500. I should add I in nooooo way work five days a week on paid project work! I wish..

I was thinking about going in at £400 - although it’s London-based, I’m assuming as it’s a charitable trust they’ll won’t have loads of money to chuck about. I do really, really want the contract, but I know it’ll be quite competitive..